Mark Swihart, PhD, is a professor of chemical and biological
engineering. He leads a research program that centers on the
production and application of nanoparticles. His team uses chemical
engineering to develop, understand and improve the processes for
creating nanomaterials.

With colleagues, Swihart has explored applications for
nanomaterials in areas ranging from biological imaging to solar
cells and screen displays.

For example, he was part of a team that used nanoparticles made
from silicon, an abundant and biocompatible material, to target and
image tumors in mice. The work is believed to be the first
demonstration of such technology in vivo in the animals. In
the realm of alternative energy, Swihart co-led a study that mixed
super-small particles of silicon with water to produce hydrogen
almost instantaneously.

Mark T. Swihart, PhDExecutive Director of UB's New York State Center of Excellence
in Materials Informatics
UB Distinguished Professor of Chemical and Biological
Engineering
School of Engineering and Applied Sciences